OREANDA-NEWS. More than 1,600 households in Middletown are getting an energy makeover, courtesy of Duke Energy.

Through Duke Energy’s new Residential Neighborhood Program, the homes and apartments of qualified customers are receiving a home energy assessment and installation of up to 16 energy-saving improvements, at no out-of-pocket cost.

Eligible customers are also learning how to take control of their energy costs by practicing energy-saving habits.

The program targets neighborhoods where approximately 50 percent of residents are classified as low-income based on federal and state guidelines.

“Duke Energy is committed to the health and success of the communities it serves,” said Tim Abbott, director of government and community relations for Duke Energy in Middletown. “We’re helping customers who need it the most take control of their energy costs by bringing this program right to their doorsteps.”

The Middletown Residential Neighborhood Program is targeting homes and apartments within the following boundaries:

N. University Boulevard to Stanley Street
N. University Boulevard to S. Sulphin Street
Roosevelt Boulevard to S. Sulphin Street
Roosevelt Boulevard to 1st Avenue
Woodside Boulevard to Lamneck Street
Girard Avenue to Kunz Avenue
Yankee Road to 1st Avenue
Yankee Road to Girard Avenue
S. Verity Parkway to Richmond Street
S. Verity Parkway to Lamneck Street

Residential Neighborhood Program team members are installing improvements in qualified neighborhoods through the end of October. Some of the 16 energy-efficiency improvements include:


water heater wraps and insulation for water pipes;
energy-efficient light bulbs;
low-flow faucet aerator and low-flow showerhead;
refrigerator coil brush and refrigerator thermometer;
wall plate thermometer;
HVAC winterization kit;
water heater temperature check and adjustment; and
HVAC filters (year’s supply) and a filter-change calendar.

Duke Energy launched the Residential Neighborhood Program in March 2013. More than 1,400 households in Ohio have received free energy makeovers since the program’s launch.

A graphic showing the eligible area is available upon request. Federal and state guidelines and census data are used to objectively select communities where the program would be most beneficial.